OSHA’S SILICA COMPLIANCE DEADLINES
OSHA’s New Silica Rule Standards Are Affecting Your Industry
OSHA DEADLINE | SEPTEMBER 23, 2017
Silica Standard Compliance for Construction
The deadline for Construction Silica Standard Compliance is nearing. Originally set for June 23, 2017, the deadline had been extended to provide the opportunity to conduct additional outreach to the regulated community and to provide additional time to train compliance officers.
What Does the Compliance Deadline Mean?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had issued a final rule to curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease in America’s workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The rule is comprised of two standards, one for Construction and one for General Industry and Maritime. Both standards contained in the final rule took effect on June 23, 2016, after which industries have to comply with most requirements based on the following schedule:
CONSTRUCTION: SEPTEMBER 23, 2017
GENERAL INDUSTRY: JUNE 23, 2018
MARITIME: JUNE 23, 2018
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING: JUNE 23, 2018
(Two years after the effective date for all provisions except Engineering Controls, which have a compliance date of June 23, 2021.)
How Silica Affects Workers
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can cause lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease. America’s workers are being exposed to crystalline silica dust in common workplace operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling, and crushing of concrete, brick, block, rock, and stone products (such as construction tasks), and operations using sand products (such as in glass manufacturing, foundries, sand blasting, and hydraulic fracturing).
HazTek Provides Solutions
As a leader in workplace safety, HazTek can bring extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of silica exposure protection, so our fully-customizable assessments, services, and results will align to your needs and OSHA standards. We can provide:
- Silica Exposure Sampling
- Testing for Respirable Dust
- Respirator Fit Testing
- Respiratory Protection Training
- Exposure Control Assessments
- Written Exposure Control Plans
- Training for Competent Persons in Silica
- Respiratory Protection Programs
- Worker Training on Exposure Control Methods
- Written Recordkeeping Programs for Industrial Hygiene and Medical Surveillance
Download HazTek’s Silica Standard brochure, flowchart, and info sheet below.
To learn how HazTek can help, please contact us at: 888-842-9835 or info@haztekinc.com
